India has formally requested Pakistan to review and modify the 62-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, citing unresolved disputes over cross-border river management. This notice, served under Article XII (3) of the treaty, was officially issued on August 30, 2024.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 following nine years of negotiations and brokered by the World Bank, has long been regarded as one of the most durable agreements between India and Pakistan. However, recent tensions over issues such as terrorism and the Kashmir conflict have strained bilateral relations and placed the treaty under significant pressure.
India’s formal notice follows an earlier “notification for modification” sent to Pakistan on January 25, 2023. The new notice calls for government-to-government negotiations to address and resolve ongoing disputes related to the treaty. These disputes primarily involve the Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects on the Chenab and Neelam rivers in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indus Waters Treaty allocates the waters of the Indus River system between the two nations, with the majority of the river’s flow designated for Pakistan and the remainder for India. The treaty has been a cornerstone of water resource management in the region but has faced challenges as bilateral relations have deteriorated.
The request for a treaty review reflects India’s concerns over Pakistan’s handling of these cross-border water disputes and aims to address these issues through formal negotiations. The World Bank, as a signatory to the treaty, may also play a role in facilitating these discussions.
The development highlights the ongoing complexities in India-Pakistan relations, particularly regarding shared resources and territorial disputes. As both nations prepare for negotiations, the international community will be closely watching the outcome and its impact on regional stability.
Sources By Agencies
